Genomics Data Operations Analyst I

David Lab; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

David Lab at Duke University seeks a Laboratory Research Analyst I to oversee research-data operations for DNA sequencing studies, linking bench processes to analysis-ready data. You will run FoodSeq pipelines, ensure data quality, and manage metadata across cohorts, integrating lab and computational records for multi-project workflows.

The role requires a biology/genomics background, scripting skills, and experience with high-throughput sequencing data; you will train junior staff and help

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, bioinformatics, computational biology, data science, or related field.
• Experience with high-throughput sequencing data, scripting (Python, R, and/or bash), and version control (Git).
• Experience with bioinformatics pipelines (Snakemake/Nextflow) and tools such as DADA2/QIIME.
• Experience with AI-assisted coding workflows is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Run, monitor, and help develop the lab’s FoodSeq bioinformatics pipelines for processing DNA sequencing data, including metabarcoding assays (e.g., trnL, 12SV5) for dietary plant and animal species.
• Perform quality control on sequencing runs and processed data; identify sources of technical variation and flag adverse trends for the research team.
• Devise, test, and refine computational procedures and analytical techniques in the planning, development, and implementation of the lab’s genomic data workflows.
• Organize and maintain sample, sequencing-run, and cohort metadata across multiple concurrent projects, ensuring accuracy, provenance, and chain-of-custody from sample receipt through analysis-ready output.
• Integrate sequencing data with the lab’s sample-tracking, data-storage, and project-management systems, drawing on knowledge of the lab’s molecular and sequencing methods to keep laboratory and computational records aligned.
• Manage data storage, organization, and access so that datasets are findable, well-documented, and reliably backed up.
• Produce processed datasets, summary outputs, and quality-control metrics that support the lab’s manuscripts, grant deliverables, and downstream research.
• Evaluate and interpret data and prepare reports setting forth progress, trends, and conclusions; confer with the Principal Investigator on the design and interpretation of the lab’s data workflows.
• Document workflows, maintain version-controlled code, and develop and improve standard operating procedures so that the lab’s data operations are transparent and reproducible.
• Keep abreast of new tools and methods by reviewing scientific and technical literature, and help evaluate and adopt improvements to the lab’s pipelines.
• Coordinate with wet-lab and field-sampling teams on data handoffs, sample readiness, and turnaround across projects.
• Train and help instruct students and junior personnel in data-management practices, computational workflows, and documentation standards.

Skills

Scripting (Python/R/bash)

Bioinformatics pipelines

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology, bioinformatics, computational biology, data science, or related field

Tools

Snakemake

Nextflow

DADA2

QIIME

Job description

David Lab at Duke University seeks a Laboratory Research Analyst I to oversee research-data operations for DNA sequencing studies, linking bench processes to analysis-ready data. You will run FoodSeq pipelines, ensure data quality, and manage metadata across cohorts, integrating lab and computational records for multi-project workflows.

The role requires a biology/genomics background, scripting skills, and experience with high-throughput sequencing data; you will train junior staff and help